Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui

Life story

Floribert was born on 13 June 1981 in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was a member of the Community of Sant'Egidio, a lay Catholic movement working for the poor and for peace. Alongside his job he helped the street children of Goma together with friends in the community.

After his studies he worked at the Congolese Control Office (Office Congolais de Contrôle) in Kinshasa and then returned to its office in Goma, where he checked the quality of goods entering across the border. In July 2007 a shipment of rice from Rwanda was found to be spoiled and unsafe for consumers. The importer offered money so that he would clear it, and he refused.

He was kidnapped, tortured and died the next day, 8 July 2007, aged 26. His body was found on 9 July. Because his death was understood to result from his integrity, Pope Francis authorised the decree of martyrdom in November 2024. He was beatified on 15 June 2025 in Rome. His memorial is 8 July.

Works and witness

• Member of the Sant'Egidio community in Goma
• Helped street children
• Worked as an inspector of imported goods at the Goma office
• Refused a bribe to clear spoiled rice in 2007
• Beatified on 15 June 2025

Saints from the same country

Blessed Isidore Bakanja, Blessed Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta

References

• Pope Francis, decree of martyrdom for Floribert Bwana Chui, November 2024 (Vatican)
• Community of Sant'Egidio, biography of Floribert Bwana Chui
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.